Coca-Cola India Foundation highlights water access projects in Rajasthan

New Delhi: Anandana, the Coca-Cola India Foundation, has released a video series showcasing the impact of its water access projects in Rajasthan, focusing on the revival of traditional water systems in drought-prone regions. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with Social Action for Rural Advancement (SARA), forms part of the foundation’s broader ‘Refreshing Difference’ programme.

Sikar district has historically faced irregular monsoon seasons, with an average annual rainfall of 550 mm, leaving communities vulnerable to water scarcity. High fluoride levels in available water further contributed to health issues. Anandana’s interventions, spanning six villages, Rajpura, Balyawas, Karad, Khora, Dungri Khurd, and Chhota Narena, include check dams, pond restoration, and groundwater recharge, benefiting over 18,000 residents.

The newly launched video series features beneficiaries sharing their experiences. Kamlesh Devad, a young sarpanch, helped expand water access across six villages. Shravan Lal Ghayal described how a recharged pond improved groundwater levels and provided water for livestock, while Lala Ram Punya spoke about transforming his dry farmland into productive fields with support from check dams.

Mota Ram, Director of SARA, said, “What makes this project different is not just the structures we built, but the mindset we helped shift. We worked with communities. Families contributed, some gave Rs 100, some gave labour, others gave land. That ownership changed everything. We insisted on equal pay for women, trained them as barefoot engineers, and helped form Village Development Committees that now manage the water systems themselves. Even nine years after project completion, they’re still maintaining, adapting, and innovating. With the support from Anandana, The Coca-Cola India Foundation, we created more than just recharge structures, we created local stewards of sustainability.”

Kamlesh Devad, Sarpanch of Laxmipura, added, “The check dams constructed in Laxmipura, Rajpura, and Nausal through the efforts of SARA and Anandana, have transformed our villages. Rainwater now stays, recharging wells and ponds, and providing much-needed water for both farming and livestock. Earlier, our cattle struggled during dry spells. But now, they drink from the ponds revived by this initiative. Farmers are seeing better yields, and the entire village benefits. These structures haven’t just conserved water; they’ve strengthened our way of life and supported livelihoods.”

Rajiv Gupta, Director of Anandana, said, “Water is fundamental to thriving communities and resilient ecosystems. In Rajasthan, our interventions focus on restoring traditional water systems and building local infrastructure that strengthens long-term water security. Through the ‘Refreshing Difference’ campaign, we are deepening our commitment to water stewardship in the state, supporting agricultural sustainability, community health, and climate resilience. Our partnership with organisations like SARA is part of a broader effort to empower local communities and drive meaningful, lasting change across high-need regions.”

To date, Anandana has implemented nearly 20 water projects across 13 cities in Rajasthan, including Jaipur, Ajmer, Tonk, Sikar, Sawai Madhopur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Baran, Alwar, Nagaur, Karauli, Beawar, and Kishangarh. These interventions have enhanced water security, supported agriculture, improved drinking water access, empowered local communities, and created a lasting social impact across the state’s drought-prone regions.

Watch the campaign films: